Carbon Farming Grants Open for Aboriginal Land Managers

THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP

A new grants program to support Aboriginal land managers establish carbon farming businesses opens today, and the Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, is encouraging Territorians to get involved.

Over the next five years the Australian Government will invest more than $22 million to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups and land managers join the Carbon Farming Initiative.

Mr Snowdon says the grants can help with practical financial support and to help Aboriginal land managers adopt new carbon farming practices.

"This money will go towards getting local carbon farming businesses off the ground, to better manage the land and to contribute towards Australia’s carbon emission reduction targets," he said.

"Aboriginal land managers in the Northern Territory are already doing great work, caring for their land, controlling the spread of introduced species and protecting the unique natural landscape for future generations.

"Carbon farming will mean they can contribute towards environmental protection on a larger scale.

"Getting NT Aboriginal land managers involved in will help the environment and it will also mean jobs for local people. Entire communities will benefit with carbon credits earned in the bush sold to businesses and people in the city bringing more money to the community," Mr Snowdon said.

Round one of the Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund – Capacity Building and Business Support stream will invest up to $1.3 million:

Feasibility and assessment – Grants up to $50,000 to investigate carbon farming opportunities, feasibility, and seeking specialist advice or partnerships

Business and project development – grants up to $300,000 to help build a carbon farming business with an existing project plan or completed feasibility assessment. Funding can be used to establish a carbon farming enterprise, employ a project manager or engage specialist legal, contractual or financial advice.